Amiability: meaning, definitions and examples

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amiability

 

[ˌeɪmiəˈbɪlɪti ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

friendly behavior

The quality of being friendly, pleasant, and good-natured. Amiability is often characterized by a willingness to help others and a cheerful disposition.

Synonyms

friendliness, good-naturedness, pleasantness.

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Word Description / Examples
amiability

Used to describe someone's overall friendly and pleasant personality, often in formal or written contexts.

  • Her amiability made her a favorite among her colleagues
  • The host's amiability created a warm and welcoming atmosphere
friendliness

Commonly used in everyday speech to describe someone who is friendly and approachable.

  • Her friendliness made it easy for new employees to feel welcomed
  • The store's staff are known for their friendliness
pleasantness

Describes an enjoyable and pleasing quality, often used in describing environments or experiences rather than people.

  • The pleasantness of the weather made the picnic perfect
  • She appreciated the pleasantness of his voice during the conversation
good-naturedness

Refers to someone's kind, easygoing, and gentle disposition, typically in informal or descriptive contexts.

  • His good-naturedness made him popular at social gatherings
  • The dog's good-naturedness made it a great family pet

Examples of usage

  • She was known for her amiability and generosity.
  • His amiability made it easy for him to make friends wherever he went.
Context #2 | Noun

pleasantness in manner or attitude

The attribute of having a pleasant or agreeable manner. Amiability is reflected in a person's affability and warmth towards others.

Synonyms

affability, agreeableness, warmth.

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Word Description / Examples
amiability

Referring to someone's general friendly nature or pleasant personality. It is used to describe a characteristic that makes a person liked by others.

  • Her amiability is what makes her such a good leader
  • Everyone enjoys working with him because of his amiability
agreeableness

Describes someone’s overall pleasantness and cooperative nature. This term is often used in psychology and personality assessments.

  • Her agreeableness makes her a great team player
  • People appreciate his agreeableness in resolving conflicts
affability

Used to highlight someone's readiness to talk and approach others in a friendly manner. Often implies being approachable and easy to have a conversation with.

  • His affability put the new students at ease
  • The CEO's affability during the meeting made everyone feel comfortable
warmth

Describes a person's friendly and loving nature, often involving genuine care and kindness. This term can have emotional and physical connotations.

  • The warmth in her voice reassured me
  • His warmth makes everyone feel welcome at his home

Examples of usage

  • Her amiability made her a favorite among her colleagues.
  • The politician's amiability helped him gain popularity among the voters.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from Latin 'amicabilitas,' which means friendliness, deriving from 'amicus,' meaning friend.
  • It entered the English language in the late 14th century, retaining its positive connotations of warmth and friendliness.

Psychology

  • Studies show that people with amiable personalities are often more liked and trusted by peers, leading to better social connections.
  • Amiability is associated with higher levels of emotional intelligence, helping individuals empathize with others effectively.

Literature

  • In classic literature, amiable characters often serve as the moral compass, guiding others towards kindness and understanding.
  • Shakespeare frequently portrayed amiable personalities in his comedies, highlighting the lightness that friendliness brings in contrast to villainy.

Cultural Perspectives

  • In many cultures, amiability is seen as a valuable trait, often linked to hospitality and social harmony.
  • Differences exist where some cultures may prioritize directness over amiability, showcasing various communication styles.

Interpersonal Relationships

  • Amiability is essential in building rapport; the more amiable a person, the easier it is to develop friendships and maintain relationships.
  • Professionals often utilize amiability in negotiations to create a friendly atmosphere, leading to more effective collaboration.

Translations

Translations of the word "amiability" in other languages:

🇵🇹 amabilidade

🇮🇳 मिलनसारिता

🇩🇪 Liebenswürdigkeit

🇮🇩 keramahan

🇺🇦 привітність

🇵🇱 uprzejmość

🇯🇵 愛想の良さ

🇫🇷 amabilité

🇪🇸 amabilidad

🇹🇷 tatlılık

🇰🇷 친절함

🇸🇦 لطف

🇨🇿 přívětivost

🇸🇰 prívetivosť

🇨🇳 和蔼

🇸🇮 prijaznost

🇮🇸 góðvild

🇰🇿 мейірімділік

🇬🇪 სიყვარულობა

🇦🇿 mehribanlıq

🇲🇽 amabilidad

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,354, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.